Folding table



July- 12, 1927. 1,635,279

W. J. KING FOLDING TABLE Filed Feb. 16, 1922 lie l atente d July 12, 1927.

unirso STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM 3'. KING, OF PGRTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOB TO THE E. T. BURROWES COM- PANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FOLDING TABLE.

Application filed February 16,1922. Serial No. 537,008.

This invention relates to improvements in light folding tables of the type commonly employed for card playing and like purposes.

The object of the invention is to provide improved means for bracing and pivotally connecting the legs, and improved top sup porting and reinforcing means, whereby a more simple, stronger, rigid construction is provided.

Heretofore, in order to accommodate the leg braces and permit of the folding of the legs substantially parallel with the sides of the top supporting frame, it has-been considered essential to offset or .space the legs from the sides of the frame. A particularly important novel characteristic of the present invention resides in the special construction and arrangement of parts by which the necessity for offsetting the legs is entirely avoided, while at the same time suiiicient space is provided for the operation of the braces and the folding of the same below the bottom face of the frame, the legs being pivotally mounted directly against the sides of the frame, a more simple rigid construction being provided and increased space for the legs and reinforcing bars afforded.

The invention, with other objects and ad 30 vantages thereof, and the particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts comprising the same, will be understood from the hereinafter contained detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof, and illustrating one embodiment of the invention. In the drawings Figure 1 is a bottom plan view with the legs folded.

Fig. 2 is a part section and side elevation showing corner portions and legs at opposite sides of the table. I

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view, on anenlarged scale, of one of the brackets.

Figure 4. is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of an end portion of one of the reinforcing strips.

.Figure 5 is a detail section of one of the side rails and adjoining portion of the top, and one of the legs in folded position.

While in the drawings is illustrated, by way of example, a specific embodiment of the invention, it will of course be understood that modifications and changes inthe particular construction shown, and the carlying out of the invention in other forms as will appeal to those skilled in the art and falling within the scope of'theappended claims may be practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the particular construction illustrated in the drawing, the top supporting frame 1 is shown of rectangular form. 2 designates a relatively light thin top of paper board or other suitable material, and 3 is a cover of leatherette or the like stretched over the top 2 and having its marginal portions brought down over the sides of the frame and held in place by the finishing strip 4:. 5 designates the legs pivotally connected to the frame 1 at the corner portions thereof to fold within the frame substantially parallel with the side bars, and 11 designates the braces for the legs, each brace being pivotally connected at one endto one cured flat against one of the side bars of the frame 1, and the portion 8 extending inparallel spaced relation with an end portion of the adjoiningbar. The legs are po sitioned between the portions 8 of the brackets and the sidebars of the frame, the

pivotal connection being made by screws 9 passing through the bracket portions 8 and the end portions of the legs, and entering the bars of the frame.

The bracesll each consist of a spring rod having an inwardly offset portion ll at one end pivotally connected with one of the legs 5, and having an outwardly projecting portion 11 at its opposite end. The end portions 11"? of the braces extend into the recesses 7 and slidably engage grooves 12 in theuside Walls thereof, the upper end portions of the braces being adapted to work within the recesses, and the braces to fold down within the same below the bottom face of the frame when the legs are folded within the frame. The upper walls of the grooves 12 preferably, as shown, are suiiiciently spaced from the bottom walls of the re cesses 7 to provide a slight clearance therebetween and the end portions 11 of the braces. At one end of each of the grooves 12 is a recess 13 adapted to receive and re tain the outwardly projecting part 11 of the brace when the leg is moved to its unfoldedposition. 15 are guard plates on the frame opposite the recesses 13' said plates serving as stops to limit the out Hard movement of the outwardly projecting portions 11 of the braces in disengaging the same from the recesses 13.- V

The top is provided with reinforcingstrips .6 extending acros the same within the top supporting frame. The reinforcing strips 6, which are secured to the top 2 at the under side thereof in any desired way. for instance by gl-uing,- are disposed diagonally of the top and said strips are provided with shouldered end portionsfi, and each of the brackets'has a part 8" extendinginwardly from its portion 8 in line with an end portion of one of the reinforcing strips 6, said part 8 being provided with a shouldered portion 8 interfitting with and underlying the shouldered portion 6 of one of the reinforcing strips 6. The spring brace rods 1 1 in their connection with the legs and frame are adjusted that through their transverse resiliency they act to maintain the upper end portions of the braces in engagement with the grooves 12 and to hold the legs in folded position witi their free end portions pressed against the overlapping shouldered. portions 8 and (3 of the reinforcing strips and brackets said portions serving as stops for this purp and the end portions of the legs extending into the spaces between the portions 8, 8

and 8" of the brackets. The spring brace rods 11 are preferably slightly curved or bowed and arranged, as shown. the intermediate outwardly curved portions of the braces frictionally enga ing the inner side walls of the recesses when the legs are folded within the frame, and thus also serve as means for holding the legs in their folded positions;

It will he noted that by the special inount ing of the legs and t- ..e arts ment of the braces, all spacing ineinbe s or other means for offseting the legs is entirely eliminated. a" more simple. stronger rigid con. notion. being provided. while a the same time increased space for the legs and rein-forcing bars is aif'ordeddhe bracket-s being positioned nearer the corners of the frame, and the rainforcing. str ps being brought well out closer to the corners;

i It will also be observed that the special bracket and reinforcing strip construction provides an extended hearing or support for the top intermediate the sides of the frame,

preventing sagging of the top and materially increasing the rigidity and strength thereof, spaces for the free end portions of the legs when in folded posit-ion being pro vided between the bracket portions, and the overlapping portions of the brackets and reinforcing strips constituting stops against which the legs are pressed when folded.

What I claim is: o

1. In a folding table, a rectangular shaped supporting frame com rising bar secured together, said frame being provid d with a longitudinally extending recess in the under side of a side bar thereof, a leg connected with the frame to fold within the same close along side the said side bar of the frame, and a brace pivotally connected at one end to one of saio parts and having a sliding pivotal connection at its. other end.

with the other part, the main portion of the brace intermediate its ends being adapted to fold within the said recess when the leg is folded within the frame.

2. In a folding table, a rectangular shaped sup sorting frame comprising bars secured together, said frame being provided with a longitudinally extending recess in the under side of a side bar thereof and a longitudinally extending groove in the wall of the recess, a leg pivotedto the frame to fold within the same close along side the said side bar of the frame, and abrace hai 'ing a pivotal connection at one end with the leg, and said brace at its other end havinga portion slidably engaging said groove, the brace being adapted to work in the said recess and the main portion thereof intermediate its ends to fold within the same when the leg is folded within the frame.

8,. In afolding table a rectangularshaped supporting frame comprising bars secured together, said bars being provided with longitudinally extending recesses in the under side thereof, legs pivoted to the frame near the corner portions thereof to swing in planes substantially parallel with the side bars of thef-rame and adapted to fold within he same close along side the side bars thereof and braces forthe legs, each brace having a pivotal connection one end with one of the legs and having a pivotal sliding connection with one of the side bars of the frame adjacent the recess thereof, the main portions of the braces intermediate their ends being adapted to fold within the said recesses-when the legs are folded within the frame.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my WILLIAM J. Kine. 

